Mia's Just the Right Size

It doesn't feel small--it feels like just the right size. The high ceilings and beautiful (green!) view make the whole room feel airy. It's a very flexible space: I can watch my tiny TV from the couch, my bed, or the counter, and, of course, everything is always at an arm's reach. Above all, I love that I was able to take the art and furniture I loved most in my 800 sq ft Texas apartment and find a place for it in this teeny tiny studio apartment in a brownstone on a tree-lined street on the Upper West Side.

Biggest Challenge of Living in a Small Space

Storing my stuff is the biggest challenge. I make use of the storage cabinets above my kitchen for off-season clothes and all but 4 each of my dishes. My father helped me install a simple shelf alongside my bed for books and magazines that might otherwise create clutter. None of these solutions replace the simplest solution: putting everything back in its place the instant I'm finished with it. (Hosting a dinner party for 12 is also challenging but is, evidently, possible.)